Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday conducted an aerial survey of the flood situation in more than 12 blocks across five districts of Odisha. He was accompanied by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari and the Special Relief Commissioner.
Addressing the media after the survey, the Chief Minister said that many villages in these areas remain surrounded by floodwaters. He noted that the situation is gradually improving and expressed hope that the floodwater would recede within the next two days.
The Chief Minister directed officials to complete the assessment of damage within three days of the water receding. He assured that assistance packages for the agriculture sector, damaged houses and other losses would be provided immediately after the assessment.
During the aerial survey, the Chief Minister inspected affected areas in Jajpur district’s Dasarathpur, Bari and Binjharpur blocks; Bhadrak district’s Dhamnagar, Bhandaripokhari and Chandabali blocks; Baleshwar district’s Soro, Remuna and Baleshwar Sadar blocks; parts of Mayurbhanj district’s Badasahi, Udala and Kaptipada blocks; and the affected areas of Hatadihi block in Kendujhar district.
Stating that he is keeping a complete watch on the flood situation, the Chief Minister said instructions have been issued to ministers and officials to hold discussions and take appropriate steps. He added that a close watch is also being maintained on the flood situation in Puri district.
Emphasising the principle of zero casualty, the Chief Minister informed that around eight lakh people have been affected by the current floods, of whom 2.69 lakh have been shifted to safer places.
He also informed that 17 ODRAF teams, seven NDRF teams and 129 Fire and Emergency Service units are engaged in rescue operations. As many as 700 relief camps and shelters have been set up where arrangements have been made for accommodation, dry and cooked food, drinking water and medical services. Senior officials are monitoring relief and restoration work at the field level in the affected districts.
The Chief Minister further said that Rs 26 crore has been released from the State Disaster Response Fund for relief and rescue operations. Affected families are being provided with polythene sheets, dry and cooked food, drinking water and medicines.
Instructions have also been issued for the immediate repair of damaged roads. Strict monitoring is being done to prevent any post-flood health-related problems.
CM Majhi, however, expressed satisfaction that timely information and proper measures by the government have helped prevent major flood-related losses.
